Hougaard signs for Tigers

Leicester Tigers have signed South Africa international fly-half Derick Hougaard from Super 14 side the Bulls.

The 25-year-old Hougaard kicked the winning conversion in the closing seconds of the 2007 Super 14 Final when the Bulls, under the leadership of new Tigers head coach Heyneke Meyer, became the first South African winners of the tournament.

Hougaard comes in as a direct replacement for Andy Goode who left the club last week to join French side Brive.

Tigers chief executive Peter Wheeler said: “We were very impressed by his performances during the last year and we believe he still has many great years ahead of him.

“Derick is only 25 and he has not realised his full potential yet. He has a very good working relationship with Heyneke and I hope we can help him to maximise his potential as a player.”

Hougaard, who made his provincial debut as a teenager in 2002 and earned his first senior cap with South Africa the following year, said: “I think this is a wonderful chance to test myself against the best players in the northern hemisphere.

“I am looking forward to working with Heyneke. He has the ability to get the best out of a player and he has had an enormous positive influence on my career.”